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India to be ‘Artificial Intelligence Garage’ says Assam Governor

By CM Paul |

Guwahati: Speaking at the 8th annual Convocation of Assam Don Bosco University Guwahati, 7th September 2019, Governor of Assam Prof. Jagdish Mukhi said, “The government of India wants to establish the country as an ‘AI Garage.’

The Governor explained saying, “It means that if a company can deploy an AI technology in India, it will then be applicable for the whole developing world. AI research in India will focus on healthcare - increasing access and affordability of quality healthcare; agriculture - enhancing farmer’s income, farm productivity and reduction of wastage; education- improving access and quality of education; smart cities and infrastructure- efficient connectivity for the burgeoning urban population; and smart mobility and transportation- for smarter and safer modes of transportation and better traffic and congestion problems.”

The Governor further stated that “NITI Aayog’s policy to make India ‘the AI garage of the world’ has developed a very unique approach for its national AI strategy by leveraging it not only for economic and military growth, but also for social inclusion, calling it, ‘AI for all’.

“This strategy, aims to enhance and empower young Indians with the skills to find quality jobs, invest in research sectors that can maximise economic growth and social impact, and scale Indian-made AI solutions that can be implemented to the rest of the developing world,” added the Governor.

While appreciating Assam Don Bosco University, the Governor said, “the University is creating and disseminating knowledge and skills in core as well as frontier areas of education, developing reservoir of youth power, which effectively participate in nation building.”

The Chancellor, Fr. Januarius Sangma, and the Vice Chancellor, Fr. (Dr) Stephen Mavely also spoke at the solemn function.

A host of dignitaries from Civil, Church and Academic institutions of the region also attended the occasion.

The Chancellor, Fr. Januarius Sangma said, “Universities should contribute in a concrete way to upholding democratic values that will help our country, and humankind in general. Respect, fraternity, dignity for every kind of work, non-violence, standing for truth and principles, upholding the dignity of life, compassion, kindness—these are but some of the values that we need to live for. This is how we build a nation; this is how we build humanity.”
                    
Giving a report on the University, the Vice Chancellor Fr (Dr) Stephen Mavely, said, “Assam Don Bosco University is becoming a nerve centre for the development of the North Eastern Region. The University has taken up development initiatives in 42 villages that surround the University. It is an ideal location for the packed extension and social commitment programmes of the University. It’s in our plans to ensure that every graduate of our University will have committed themselves to several months of meaningful social work during the course of their study at the University.”

At total of 816 degrees were conferred, 212 were from Bachelor of Technology, 21 from Master of Technology, 43 from Master of Computer Application, 37 from Master of Business Administration, 67 from Master of Social Work, 21 from MSc Psychology, 14 from MSc Physics, 32 from MSc Chemistry, 15 from MSc Biotechnology, 2 from MSc Biochemistry, 21 from MSc Microbiology, 42 from MSc Zoology, and 12 from MA Education.

The under graduate program had 28 students from Bachelor of Computer Application, 33 from Bachelor of Commerce and 13 from BA Philosophy.

There were 12 doctoral degrees conferred in various disciplines.

Under the DBU Global online education programme, 191 candidates from across the globe, were also conferred degrees in various disciplines.

Gold Medals under various categories were awarded to 20 outstanding graduates with the highest Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) in each program.

The Chancellor’s Medal for outstanding graduate in post graduate courses went to Manash Pratim Rajbongshi of MSc Zoology from Nalbari, Assam and the Vice Chancellor’s medal for outstanding graduate in under graduate courses was awarded to Raisa Tamsin Hussain of B.Tech (CVE) from Guwahati Assam.

Established in 2008, Assam Don Bosco University is the first University in India of the worldwide Don Bosco Society, present across 132 countries serving 15 million students. In October 2018, the University was awarded ‘University of the Year' (among universities in India in existence for 1-10 years) by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry at the 14 FICCI Higher Education Summit held in New Delhi.

The University has been selected as one of 15 universities from around the world for a documentary serial on higher education impacting lives of people by BBC DreamWorks and International Association of Universities (IAU).

Currently the University offers 17 post-graduate, 16 graduate, and 23 doctoral programmes under five schools which include Technology, Fundamental and Applied Sciences, Life Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Management and Commerce.

The University has a singular focus on the creation and maintenance of an ambiance where Academic Excellence, Research, Innovation and Social Commitment blend into a seamless way of life that stamps the profile of every student.

Author info

CM Paul's picture

Former HoD, Dept of Mass Communications at Assam Don Bosco University, Guwahati, C.M. Paul was editor of The Herald weekly in Kolkata and director of Don Bosco International News Agency (ANS) based in Rome. He did MA in Journalism & Mass Communication from FORDHAM University, New York.

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